Monday, April 27, 2009

In MN "April is the cruelest month" when it is gray, overcast, rainy, and gloomy as it has been for the past few days. The blossoms by my neighbor's gate, however, give me some hope that spring and warmer, sunny weather is on its way!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sadie came to us (legally) as a newly-hatched bird, and has now been with us 23 years. She definitely deserves front cover coverage, don't you think?! How long is their lifespan, I wonder?! To see more critters, click here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

For the last two summers, one of my neighbors has been doing landscaping in her backyard, shoring up a stone fence that had been built long ago by her father, removing excess brush, developing a curved gravel path, planting new foilage, and building this "playhouse." I'm not quite sure how she plans to use it or what might be its main purpose, but it's been fun seeing the attention she gives it. Next time I see her in the yard, I intend to go over, visit, and take more photos of her "playhouse."

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Returning to the Midwest from months in Mazatlán, México tries one's soul. A trip to the beautiful Como Park helps the transition 'til more pleasant weather arrives. The Bonsai Gallery next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is dedicated to Japanese art and the conservatory features the largest collection of bonsai trees in the Midwest.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

For a little bit of Mexico, I brought back this beautiful piece of embroidery which is typical of Huichol art. The figures are symbolic and are part of the tribes folklore and identity.

Huichol Indian - their art and symbols by Angela CorelisDeer and wolves that speak to man, arrows that carry prayers, serpents that bring rain or impart skill in embroidery, pumas that are messengers of the Gods - are all real in the Huichol belief system. These are the proud Indigenous people seen around Puerto Vallarta in their colorful embroidered clothing. "Huichol (pronounced Wettchol)", according to Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz "is a corruption of the work Vishalika or Virarika, that the Huichols call themselves, the word signifying "doctor or healer', a name they fully deserve as about one-fourth of the men are shamans."

The Huichol Indians live in virtually inaccessible areas of the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, straddling the Sierra Madre Occidental in an inhospitable region of about 15,000 square miles in scattered kinship settlements (ranchos).

In the past thirty years, about four thousand Huichols have migrated to cities, primarily Tepic, Nayari

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Returning to Minnesota after months in warm, sunny Mazatlán, México is not always easy after getting used to the much warmer temperatures, but spring in the Midwest is on its way and is always delightful. To make my re-entry and transition easier, I decided to indulge myself with something pleasant and was able to get tickets for Rossini's The Barber of Seville performed by the Minnesota Opera Company in the spectacular Ordway Theatre. The two figures in each snapshot are the Count Almaviva and Rosina. A wonderful performance!! Am I happy to be back? Hmmmmm!!!